1927-D Weimar Republic Silver Paul von Hindenburg 80th Birthday Medal AU–BU

When The Man Who Appointed Adolph Hitler Turned 80…

Minted in 1927 to celebrate the 80th birthday of Paul von Hindenburg, this silver commemorative medal circulated alongside Germany’s silver 5 Reichsmark coin and was presumably intended to be a pattern for future coinage—but no coins were minted. Hindenburg played a crucial role in World War I, serving as field marshal in “The War to End All Wars,” and then as Germany’s president from 1925 to 1933 when the nation existed for the first time in history as a constitutional federal republic named the Weimar Republic. Despite a long career in service to Germany, Hindenburg is most famous for the key role he played in the Nazi Party’s rise to power when, under pressure from his advisors, he appointed Hitler as Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Hindenburg didn’t live to see the disastrous consequences of his decision. The 86-year-old general and stateman died in 1934

Why Hindenburg Acquiesced To Hitler

Despite Hitler’s growing popularity, Hindenburg initially refused to name Hitler as Germany’s chancellor due to the thuggish nature of his supporters. In the 1932 elections, however, Hitler’s Nazi party won 230 governmental seats. Together with the Communists, the next largest party, they made up over half of the Reichstag. Hitler’s popularity was fueled by the German people’s frustration with dismal economic conditions and the still-festering wounds inflicted by defeat in WWI and the harsh peace terms imposed by the Versailles treaty. Hitler channeled popular discontent with the post-war Weimar government into support for his fledgling Nazi party and his fiery speeches only made him more popular. Hindenburg finally acquiesced to elevating Hitler to a position of power because the Nazis were seen as the lesser of two evils compared to the Communists and because he believed prominent German businessmen and conservative politicians in key government positions would serve as a check to Hitler’s brutal rhetoric

Symbolic Images Of Hindenburg And The Weimar Republic

At 36.14 mm in diameter, this one-year-only commemorative medal is nearly the size of a U.S. silver dollar. The designs on the obverse and reverse of this 90% silver coin are gorgeously struck and remain in eye-appealing About Uncirculated to Brilliant Uncirculated (AU–BU) condition. An aged Paul von Hindenburg and his familiar handlebar mustache appears on the medal’s obverse while the reverse displays Hindenburg’s Coat of Arms with scrolls and two plumed helmets along with the Weimar Republic Coat of Arms surrounded by a thin wreath. Along the rim of the coin is an inscription in Latin that reads, “DEUTSCHEN • REICHES • TREUSTER • DIENER,” which translates to “The faithful servant of the German Empire.” To the left of Hindenburg’s portrait on the medal’s obverse is the “D” mintmark for the Weimar Republic’s Munich Mint. The medal also features incuse edge lettering that reads, “BAYER. HAUPTMÜNZAMT SILBER 900 f,” which translates to “Bavarian Central Mint silver .900 fine.”

A Historic Piece Of World War II Memorabilia

This medal was released the same year that Hindenburg’s memoirs Aus Meinem Leben (Out of My Life) was published. In it, he claimed that the German Army’s defeat in World War I was the result of domestic revolution that had overthrown the German Empire. Throughout the tome, Hindenburg clearly expressed his reverence for Kaiser Wilhelm II, the man considered most responsible for the escalation of the First World War, referring to him as “My Kaiser, King and Master.” The autobiography’s ultimate message was pride in the “Fatherland and the Army,” and that Germany would rise again. Little did he know that Germany, under the boot of Hitler and his Nazi goons, would rise to new heights before sinking to the depths of depravity.

Availability is limited, so act fast! Secure the 1927-D Weimar Republic Silver Paul von Hindenburg 80th Birthday Medal now and fill a hole in your collection of World War II memorabilia!